Vincent Santiago
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Department Officer-In-Charge
Patrick Murray announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department
Shooting Investigation Unit, Vincent Santiago, 20 years-old, from Paterson, New Jersey, was
arrested on October 27, 2025, in connection to the shooting that took place on October 23, 2025,
in the area of Arch Street and North 1st Street, Paterson, New Jersey, as well as a shooting incident
from October 11, 2025 in the area of Arch Street and North 1st Street. For the October 11, 2025,
incident Mr. Santiago is charged with Aggravated Assault, second degree, Unlawful Possession of
Weapon, second degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree,
Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm, fourth degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child,
third degree. For the October 23, 2025, Mr. Santiago is charged with Aggravated Assault, second
degree, Unlawful Possession of Weapon, second degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful
Purpose, second degree, Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm, fourth degree, and
Endangering the Welfare of a Child, third degree
At approximately 12:22 p.m. on October 11, 2025, members of the Paterson Police Department
responded to the area of Arch Street and North 1st Street on a report of a shooting. Police were able
to locate a potential crime scene in the area. No one was struck by gunfire.
At approximately 10:46 p.m. on October 23, 2025, members of the Paterson Police Department
responded to the area of Arch Street and North 1st Street on a report of a shooting. Police located
a 20-year-old male victim from Paterson, New Jersey, suffering from a non-fatal gunshot wound.
The victim was transported via ambulance to St. Jospeh’s University Medical Center in Paterson
for treatment. Police were able to locate a potential crime scene in the area.
The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Santiago was responsible for the shooting
incidents. On October 27, 2025, Mr. Santiago was arrested by the Paterson Police Department,
Shooting Investigation Unit in the area of Haledon Avenue and North 1st Street, Paterson, New
Jersey. Mr. Santago was subsequently charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second
degree, and Receiving Stolen Property, third degree.
The sentencing exposure on Second Degree Aggravated Assault is 5-10 years New Jersey State
Prison with 85% of that term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release
Act, three years parole supervision thereafter; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility; on
Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State
Prison with 42 months to be served before parole eligibility; Third Degree Endangering the
Welfare of a Child it is 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison’ on Third Degree Receiving Stolen
Property it is 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison; and on Fourth Degree Aggravated Assault by
Pointing a Firearm, it is 18 months with 18 months to served in New Jersey Prison before parole
eligibility.
The State filed for pretrial detention against Mr. Santiago. On October 31, 2025, the defendant was
ordered detained by a Superior Court Judge. Criminal complaints are merely accusations. Despite
these accusations, a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt.
These investigations remain active and ongoing. More information will be released once it
becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org,
submit an anonymous tip via our website at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips or contact the
Paterson Police Shooting Investigation Unit at 973-321-1342.
